I am a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in bilingual education with a minor in Spanish. Since graduation, I have taught all grade levels from first to sixth, all subjects in both bilingual classrooms and English only. I've taught at public schools as well as a local charter school. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about English, Spanish, writing and math. I love teaching using fun, hands-on experiences because I know this is the best way to learn. I am a firm believer of education, knowing it's absolutely necessary for an improved quality of life, and I try to teach this to all of my students. In my spare time, I enjoy reading that which enriches my life, yoga, writing, and spending time with my family.

I am a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a specialization in math. I am a Texas Certified teacher in Elementary Education 1-8 and Elementary Math 1-8. Years later, I attended graduate school at the University of Texas in Arlington with a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction in Math and then Concordia University Texas with a Master's degree in Academic Leadership. Since graduating in 1993, I have spent my career teaching and tutoring students from from all walks of life. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about Math. I compare math to that of completing a puzzle. There are many ways to solve a puzzle but you will end up with the same result. I believe that all students have the ability to learn and show growth when given the proper tools to meet their needs. Through these beliefs, I show compassion and patience with the students I work with and encourage them to have a growth mindset to achieve the goals they have set for themselves. As the saying goes, "It takes a village to raise a child," therefore it takes parents, students, teachers and tutors to work together to ensure the best learning experience for each student. Teaching is not a one size fits all. When it comes to my approach to tutoring, I hold students to high expectations while encouraging a growth mindset through individualized instruction, well-planned, organized and rigorous lessons planning, a safe working environment and encourage risk-taking through inquiry and exploration to problem solve in all subjects. As a life-long learner myself, I encourage students to look at the world around them because doing so provides the greatest learning experience of all. Questioning, observing and analyzing their environment is the basis for life-long learning and will set students up to excel in future endeavors.

I beleive in helping students grow. I made lessons engaging, fun and meaningful.

I earned my doctoral degree from Nova Southeastern University in higher education leadership. My applied dissertation concentrated on the effective teaching of economics and the effects of teaching styles on achievement that could be replicated in any discipline and curriculum. In other words, my research and studies involved innovative teaching pedagogy, which means enabling and engaging students on each and every topic to participate in discussion groups regarding the deep learning related to the subject matter. This process includes team leaders who report to me and no doubt, as has been my experience, students enjoy discussing economic and business topics that they are studying and to which they are exposed.I earned my MBA from LeTourneau University with a concentration in management organizational behavior. Regarding my work experiences and occupations prior to participating in the education field, I have worked in and I have been trained in the following occupations. The work and training include: marketing, sales, and business management for Xerox Corporation, Nestl Corporation, Warner Chilcott Pharmaceuticals, Ayerst Pharmaceuticals, Leeway Motor Freight, and Ryder Motor Freight. I also owned and operated McKizzie Life and Health Insurance Agency. Now to get to the following that I have enjoyed most of all, working in the educational and business arenas.

Science provides us with the opportunity to learn more about the world around us. In addition, we are able to use both deductive and inductive reasoning, and the scientific method to explore some of the problems that we face in our environment today. The world of science is awesome. I look forward to working with you as we learn more about scientific phenomena.

I spent 34 years working in public education and retired from the Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education-Special Education Unit in August of 2023. During my time in public education, I worked with parents, students, administrators, teachers, and paraprofessionals. I double majored in elementary and special education in my undergraduate work at Louisiana Christian University. I continued my education and received my Masters in Education-Curriculum and Instruction from Texas Wesleyan University. I continued my learning and received 27+ hours in Educational Administration and obtained my Principal Certification. I worked as an Instructional Specialist and a Special Education Coordinator in Texas districts after receiving my graduate degree. I am certified to teach both general and special education in 3 states: Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana. I taught students in both general education and special education depending on the need in my districts. I have the most fun teaching students instructional strategies typically recognized as specially designed instruction (SDI). I also love to teach students how to learn using techniques such as retrieval practice, overlearning, and interleaving. I have specialized training in Strategic Instruction Models (SIM) and Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD). I am also trained in executive functioning and study skills. I have developed instructional sequences for students who experience difficulty with comprehension while "word calling," commonly known as hyperlexia. I have helped students who dislike writing become proficient and confident using SRSD techniques and technology such Read&Write from Texthelp. I love incorporating humor, movement, and novelty in instruction as much as possible, especially when learning is difficult. With mathematics, I have worked with students who struggle with basic computation using tools such as Touch Math, place value disks, and evidence-based practices for memorization of basic facts. I have also worked with students who do not seem to understand word problems; I use a scaffolding process to help them understand grade level problems. I have been tutoring with Varsity Tutors since November of 2024 and use Nearpod, Storyworks, Kahoot, Epic and other technological tools with tutoring sessions to increase engagement and make learning interactive. Every session I lead is planned, purposeful, and targeted based on student needs. I send copies of the session notes directly to the parents of the students I serve as well as PDF copies of the Nearpod and/or Google slides, if requested, so that lines of communication are always open with regard to content and methodology. I spend a lot of time planning because the students deserve impactful tutoring sessions. Tutoring is often the difference maker, so I want to be intentional with my planning.

I enjoy helping kids learn and grow as better people.